Ejercicio Text 2: K(orean)-Pop · Inglés PAU Andalucía Ordinaria Titular (Admisión) 2020

TEXT 2: K(OREAN)-POP

Many Westerners who come to Korea quickly dismiss K-pop, Korea's mainstream music genre, as a sugar-coated excuse for entertainment. They don't realize that K-pop is much bigger than skinny jeans and plastic faces. In fact, K-pop is transforming Korea as the world knows it.

I should first mention that there is a dark side to K-pop. Performers begin training in their teenage years. Once they sign a 10- to 15-year contract, artists move into company dormitories and all aspects of their lives are controlled by their managers. Even after the performers become famous, they receive a minimal portion of the profits of their success. And then there are the more overt problems, like the objectification of women.

That being said, there are some good things about K-pop. Contrary to popular belief, not all of it is mass-produced pop. There are many K-pop singers who are actually very talented and would do well in any other musical genre. Lee Hi has been compared to Adele, and can hit notes very few others her age are capable of. FT Island excels in playing guitars and drums, and Epik High challenges the very meaning of K-pop with their funky and hip-hop roots.

Whether K-pop's popularity is related to talent or other reasons, the industry is boosting the Korean economy in more ways than one. K-pop is quickly becoming one of the country's biggest exports ($500 million last year). Popular groups held world tours spanning from Indonesia to Chile. And since Psy's "Gangnam Style" went viral, there has been a massive influx of tourists to Korea as well as an increase in interest in Korean products and cuisine.

CHOOSE AND WRITE THE CORRECT OPTION (A, B, C or D). (0.5 points each)

9.

K-pop singers...

10.

K-pop...

ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT, OR USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (0.5 points each)

11.

K-pop singers are not free to decide about their lives.

TRUE

FALSE

12.

Some K-pop music is influenced by other musical styles.

TRUE

FALSE

13.

K-pop groups only perform in Korea.

TRUE

FALSE

14.

"Gangnam Style" has attracted tourists to Korea.

TRUE

FALSE

15. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

15.1.

15.2.

16. FIND IN THE TEXT: (0.5 points)

16.1.

16.2.